South African Nedbank experienced a data breach that potentially affected 1.7 million customers. The incident occurred at its third-party service provider that manages email and SMS marketing for the bank. During a routine monitoring procedure, the bank learned of the incident prompting management to take action. As a business owner, security of your company is the top priority to ensure the physical and cybersecurity of facilities. Without a strong security protocol in place, valuable data and products may be lost resulting in potential financial losses that could put the company in jeopardy. Making use of technology to beef up security on or off the premises is a vital strategy in the overall security of an enterprise.
Surveillance Technology
By using surveillance technology, the security of a physical location is ensured because no unauthorized persons are able to get their hands on sensitive information or a company’s products. Surveillance technology is also vital in deterring thieves, and should there be breaches, finding the culprits quickly is possible. It is even easier nowadays to go through the massive data of video footage by integrating artificial intelligence, facial recognition and big data for instant identification of the perpetrators. A database can also be kept that will not only include trusted employees, but also those that are banned or former employees whose permissions have been revoked. The surveillance system can alert in real time if these employees are captured on camera, and the information can be shared as well with law enforcement authorities.
Fire Alarm Systems
Granting access to employees and withdrawing permissions are not the only important aspects of physical security. Setting up a commercial fire alarm system on the premises will also enhance the physical security of a business and its employees, allowing the latter to work in a safe environment. Fires are real risks that can seriously harm an enterprise, causing massive losses of physical and human assets. Millions of rands are lost to fires in South Africa causing damage to businesses. The devastation of a fire can be largely offset by getting good fire insurance cover and installing a working alarm system.
Cyber Security
Fear of cyber attacks in business has risen from 35% in 2019 to 46% this year. South African countries fear that cyber attacks can disrupt business operations. Computer outages and data loss are the main concerns. While surveillance technology and systems will discourage unwanted intrusions on-site and secure server rooms, data backup is equally important.
In the event that cyber-attacks occur, data storage off-site can protect valuable information. Data loss is also avoided if there are several ways of backing up existing information. This will include storage onsite and offsite, but also availing of cloud services. Obviously, data in the cloud can also be hacked, but if one storage method fails, another one is available, preventing possible shut down of a business or the slowing down of its operations, which can harm profits. Staff should be trained in what to do if such incidents occur and should know how to restore data if it gets compromised.
Reducing the risks to a business is possible if you take the right precautions. With the advances in technology, harnessing its power to keep your data, physical facilities and products safe is a prudent and sensible business approach.